AI Starved itself via priority on Bio-Fuel?

[Xebec]

I played a recent game on a Moon vs. Nemesis AI, and I think I won by them starving themselves out focusing on fuel production (Biofuel) instead of feeding their population. (Is there a priority opportunity for the enemy AI here?).

Gameplay wise (this was a very fun game) I ended up attacking for a while after building up - trading ground, taking a couple of cities but losing one in a different area in the process. I eventually (successfully) sued for peace to give myself time to re-arm and re-fuel. When I went to resume the attack several turns later, I noticed all enemy units were dying of starvation.

Looking at the report for the enemy AI trade and economy details, I see they are buying a bunch of food from the traders (which I assume is coming from my private food domes selling to traders since there are no other regimes present). The enemy AI economy shows 4 bio-fuel refineries, and multiple ice mining facilities, plus 3 agri-dome communities. I can only assume that the food they're producing is going to fuel (to power their road network and mechanized units) and that is what is starving their troops.

Is there any way to verify this is really what's going on?

[tdoggs99]

I think I had the same problem

[Vic]

Thanks for reporting. Made AI a bit more cautious to not over extend itself. However if at some point you roll up the farms.. well it will have to choose between starvation and losing its tanks... any clue what happened? overextension bv ai, or maybe you caused its economy to collapse due taking farms?

[Xebec]

Thanks Vic! I think it was a combo of the two - I did take some farms but it looked like they had enough to sustain if they chose to feed troops over biofuel. It’s a little heard for me to interpret.

In a war scenario it’s not unreasonable for an enemy’s economy to collapse (which is what this felt like), but it was a little sudden and unexpected. Of course the collapse was all at once - where “IRL” a nation would probably reduce its standing army rather than mass starve everyone. (Or at least .. “run out of oil” rather than food).

[Vic]

Taking notes for next ai update! thx